The London Child Exploitation Operating Protocol 2021

Designed to complement existing child protection procedures and statutory guidance, this new agreement between agencies sets out how, through our partnerships, we assess, challenge and provide an enhanced, effective service to reduce the harm and threats posed to children from exploitation and target offenders to prevent and disrupt criminality. 

PaJeS Director of Public Affairs, Raisel Freedman, was proud to partner with the metropolitan police to produce a tailored version of the protocol to include more relevant information for schools, specifically tailored to the Jewish community. 

In December 2021 we were pleased to host a launch event for the tailored protocol for Headteachers and teachers and governors with safeguarding responsibilities. We were joined by DC Mark Rogers, DS Louise Rochester and DC Eloise Owen from the Metropolitan Police’s Modern Slavery and Child Exploitation Unit, who gave a brief explanation of the protocol and then presented on the types and indicators or child exploitation, referral pathways and intelligence. We were then joined by Bev Smith, Team Leader of the School Curriculum, Pastoral Care, and Safeguarding team at the Department for Education who presented on safeguarding responsibilities and statutory guidance, KSCIE.  

Tackling child exploitation is a complex task, requiring a proactive, multi-agency approach. Shared accountability among partners is key to protecting vulnerable young people, and all professionals working with children have a responsibility to recognise and respond to the indicators of child exploitation.  

Department for Education Safeguarding Presentation
Metropolitan Police Child Exploitation Pan London Protocol Presentation

Zoom recording of the meeting:

Useful Links and Resources:
Keeping Children Safe in Education
Talking to your child about online sexual harassment: A guide for parents